NDIS Therapy Assistant Guide 2025: Complete Career & Funding Overview
Therapy assistants play a crucial role in helping NDIS participants achieve their therapy goals. Working under the supervision of registered allied health professionals, therapy assistants deliver hands-on support that makes quality therapy more accessible and affordable.
Quick Reference: Therapy Assistant Key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| NDIS Rate 2025 | $71.00/hour (individual), $45.00/hour (group per person) |
| Qualification Required | Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance |
| Supervision | Must work under registered allied health professional |
| Funding Category | Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living |
| Worker Screening | NDIS Worker Screening Check mandatory |
What Does an NDIS Therapy Assistant Do?
A therapy assistant (also called allied health assistant) implements therapy programs designed by registered professionals like physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists. They don’t create treatment plans but help participants practice and achieve their therapy goals.
Core Responsibilities
Support Delivery:
- Implement therapy activities prescribed by registered allied health professionals
- Assist with exercise programs, mobility drills, and daily living skill practice
- Support communication practice and speech therapy exercises
- Monitor home exercise programs and provide feedback
- Help with therapy equipment setup and use
Goal-Focused Assistance:
- Help participants work toward functional goals in their NDIS plan
- Support skill development in areas like walking, dressing, communication
- Practice repetitive therapy tasks to build participant confidence
- Reinforce strategies taught by supervising therapists
Documentation and Reporting:
- Record session details and progress notes
- Document any changes in participant condition
- Provide feedback to supervising therapist for plan adjustments
- Maintain accurate records for NDIS compliance
Safety and Compliance:
- Ensure safe environment during therapy activities
- Correct use of equipment and assistive technology
- Follow infection control standards
- Adhere to NDIS Code of Conduct and privacy requirements
What Therapy Assistants Cannot Do
It’s important to understand the boundaries:
- Cannot independently develop or modify therapy plans
- Cannot make clinical decisions about treatment
- Cannot provide assessments or diagnoses
- Cannot bill NDIS without supervising therapist sign-off
- Cannot work unsupervised on NDIS-funded services
All clinical decisions must be made by a registered allied health professional.
Therapy Assistant vs Therapist: Key Differences
| Aspect | Therapy Assistant | Registered Therapist |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Certificate IV Allied Health Assistance | University degree + AHPRA registration |
| NDIS Rate 2025 | $71.00/hour | $193.99-$242.76/hour |
| Can Assess? | No | Yes |
| Creates Plans? | No | Yes |
| Supervision | Requires supervision | Works independently |
| Clinical Decisions | No | Yes |
| Registration Body | No registration required | AHPRA registered |
Why Use Therapy Assistants?
Cost-Effective Care:
- Therapy assistant rate ($71/hr) is approximately 65% lower than therapist rate
- Allows participants to receive more therapy hours within their budget
- Ideal for practice and repetition-based therapy goals
Extended Support:
- More frequent therapy practice sessions
- Consistent skill reinforcement between therapist appointments
- Better value for participants with limited funding
Example Cost Comparison:
| Approach | Hours Available | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 hours with OT ($214.41/hr) | 10 hours | $2,144.10 |
| 2 hours OT + 20 hours Therapy Assistant | 22 hours | $1,848.82 |
NDIS Funding Rates for Therapy Assistants 2025
The NDIS Price Guide sets maximum rates for therapy assistant services. Providers can charge less but not more.
Current Therapy Assistant Rates
| Service Type | Rate (incl. GST) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Session | $71.00/hour | Standard 1:1 therapy assistant support |
| Group Session (2-4 participants) | $45.00/hour per person | Therapeutic group activities |
| Half-Hour Session | $35.50 | Minimum billable unit |
| Travel Allowance | $0.85/km | For travel exceeding provider’s standard area |
Which Funding Category Covers Therapy Assistants?
Therapy assistant services are funded under:
Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living (Category 15)
- Line items: 15_038_0128_1_3 (Therapy Assistant)
- Draws from the same budget as allied health therapy
- Plan must include therapy funding allocation
How Therapy Assistant Services Are Claimed
- Service is delivered under therapist supervision
- Documentation completed with session notes
- Supervising therapist signs off on the service
- Provider submits claim via NDIS portal with:
- Participant name and NDIS number
- Date and duration of service
- Service type (Therapy Assistant - PT/OT/SLP)
- Supervising professional’s registration number
- Confirmation service aligns with plan goals
Qualifications to Become a Therapy Assistant
Minimum Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Formal Education | Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (most common) |
| Alternative Qualifications | Diploma of Allied Health Assistance, or Certificate III + relevant experience |
| Clearances | NDIS Worker Screening Check (mandatory) |
| Police Check | National Police Check with no disqualifying convictions |
| WWCC | Working with Children Check (if working with children) |
| First Aid | Current First Aid/CPR certification recommended |
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
This is the standard qualification pathway:
Course Details:
- Duration: 6-12 months (full-time) or 12-24 months (part-time)
- Delivery: Classroom, online, or blended learning
- Practical Placement: 200+ hours of supervised clinical experience
- Cost: $2,000-$8,000 depending on provider
- Funding: May be eligible for VET Student Loans or state subsidies
Core Units Include:
- Assist with an allied health program
- Work within the health sector
- Support therapeutic activities
- Contribute to client assessment and plan
- Work with clients with complex needs
- Infection control and safety procedures
Where to Study
Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) offering Certificate IV:
- TAFE institutions (all states)
- Open Colleges
- Australian College of Health
- Endeavour College of Natural Health
- Private RTOs listed on training.gov.au
Tip: When applying for jobs, highlight both your formal qualification and practical placement hours. This is often decisive for employers.
Ongoing Professional Development
Therapy assistants should maintain:
- 10+ hours CPD annually in relevant areas
- Manual handling refresher training
- First aid currency
- Specific condition training (autism, cerebral palsy, stroke)
- Assistive technology updates
Types of Therapy Assistant Roles
Therapy assistants can specialise in supporting different allied health disciplines:
Physiotherapy Assistant
Focus Areas:
- Exercise program implementation
- Mobility and gait training
- Balance exercises
- Strength and conditioning
- Post-surgical rehabilitation support
- Hydrotherapy assistance
Common Settings: Rehabilitation centres, community health, private practices, aged care
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Focus Areas:
- Daily living skills practice (dressing, grooming, cooking)
- Fine motor skill development
- Home modification support
- Adaptive equipment training
- Sensory regulation activities
- Handwriting support for children
Common Settings: Community services, schools, disability providers, hospitals
Speech Pathology Assistant
Focus Areas:
- Communication practice drills
- AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device support
- Swallowing exercise programs
- Language stimulation activities
- Social communication practice
- Reading and literacy support
Common Settings: Schools, early intervention services, disability providers, private practices
Dietetics/Nutrition Assistant
Focus Areas:
- Meal planning support
- Nutrition education reinforcement
- Food preparation skills
- Feeding program implementation
- Weight management support activities
Common Settings: Community health, disability services, hospitals
How to Start Your Career as a Therapy Assistant
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Complete Your Qualification
- Enrol in Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
- Choose an RTO with strong placement partnerships
- Complete all theory and practical components
- Pass required assessments
Step 2: Obtain Required Clearances
- Apply for NDIS Worker Screening Check
- Complete National Police Check
- Get Working with Children Check (if applicable)
- Many training providers bundle screening with enrolment
Step 3: Gain Supervised Experience
- Complete placement hours during training
- Seek additional volunteer or paid experience in:
- Community health centres
- Private allied health practices
- Disability service organisations
- Hospitals and rehabilitation facilities
Step 4: Find Employment
- Register with NDIS providers who employ therapy assistants
- Create resume highlighting qualifications and clearances
- Apply through job boards (Seek, Indeed)
- Network with allied health professionals
- Consider disability service organisations like:
- Life Without Barriers
- Scope
- Ability Centre
- Northcott
- Local community health services
Step 5: Maintain Your Skills
- Complete ongoing CPD requirements
- Stay current with NDIS changes
- Build specialisation in specific therapy areas
- Consider advanced qualifications
Working as a Therapy Assistant
Employment Options
| Employment Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Employee (Provider) | Stable income, benefits, supervision provided | Less flexibility, set hours |
| Casual/Contract | Flexibility, variety of settings | Variable income, self-manage tax |
| Sole Trader | Full control, higher hourly rate potential | Must find own supervising therapist, admin burden |
Typical Salary Ranges
| Level | Hourly Rate | Annual (FT equivalent) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $28-$32/hour | $55,000-$62,000 |
| Experienced | $32-$38/hour | $62,000-$75,000 |
| Senior/Specialist | $38-$45/hour | $75,000-$88,000 |
Note: These are employment rates. NDIS billing rate ($71/hr) includes provider overheads, supervision, insurance, and administration.
Supervision Requirements
All therapy assistant work under NDIS must be supervised:
Direct Supervision:
- Therapist present during session (in-person or telehealth)
- Required for complex cases or new participants
- Essential during initial skill development
Indirect Supervision:
- Therapist reviews notes and provides guidance
- Regular check-ins and case discussions
- Appropriate for established, stable cases
Supervision Ratio Guidelines:
- New therapy assistants: More direct supervision
- Experienced assistants: Can work more independently with regular reviews
- Complex cases: Always require closer supervision
NDIS Participants: Accessing Therapy Assistant Services
Is Therapy Assistant Support Right for You?
Good Candidates:
- Participants who need regular practice to achieve therapy goals
- Those with limited therapy funding wanting more support hours
- Participants with stable, established therapy programs
- People working on repetitive skill-building tasks
May Not Be Suitable:
- New participants requiring comprehensive assessment
- Complex cases needing frequent clinical decisions
- Situations requiring diagnostic expertise
- Cases where treatment plans need regular modification
How to Request Therapy Assistant Support
- Discuss with your therapist - Ask if therapy assistant support could help achieve your goals
- Check your plan - Ensure you have Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living funding
- Find a provider - Look for providers offering therapy assistant services
- Establish supervision arrangement - Your therapist may supervise directly or coordinate with provider’s therapists
What to Expect
Initial Setup:
- Your therapist creates a program for the therapy assistant to implement
- Goals and activities are clearly documented
- Communication channels established between therapist and assistant
Ongoing Sessions:
- Regular practice sessions with your therapy assistant
- Progress monitoring and reporting to therapist
- Plan adjustments based on your progress
- Periodic therapist reviews (usually every 4-8 weeks)
Example: How Therapy Assistant Support Works
Participant: Alex, 22, cerebral palsy Goal: Improve walking endurance and balance
Traditional Approach:
- 10 hours of physiotherapy @ $193.99/hr = $1,939.90
- Limited practice time between appointments
Therapy Assistant Model:
- 2 hours physiotherapy (assessment, plan) @ $193.99/hr = $387.98
- 16 hours therapy assistant (exercise practice) @ $71/hr = $1,136.00
- Total: $1,523.98 for 18 hours of support vs 10 hours
Outcome: Alex gets nearly twice the contact hours within similar budget, with more frequent practice sessions leading to faster progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a therapy assistant work without supervision?
No. All NDIS-funded therapy assistant services must be supervised by a registered allied health professional. The supervising therapist must sign off on all claims and be responsible for the therapy program.
What’s the difference between a therapy assistant and support worker?
Therapy assistants have specific qualifications (Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance) and implement therapy programs under allied health supervision. Support workers provide general assistance with daily living but don’t deliver therapeutic interventions. Therapy assistants are funded at a higher rate ($71/hr vs $35-65/hr for support workers) and work toward specific therapy goals.
Can I become a therapy assistant without Certificate IV?
While Certificate IV is the standard requirement, some employers accept Certificate III with substantial relevant experience. However, Certificate IV is strongly recommended and increasingly expected by NDIS providers. It ensures you have the competencies to safely implement therapy programs.
How do I find a supervising therapist if I’m self-employed?
Self-employed therapy assistants can establish supervision arrangements with allied health professionals in private practice. You’ll need a formal agreement outlining supervision frequency, documentation requirements, and clinical oversight protocols. Some therapy practices actively seek therapy assistants to extend their service capacity.
What NDIS line item covers therapy assistant services?
Therapy assistant services are claimed under Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living (Category 15). The specific line item is 15_038_0128_1_3 (Therapy Assistant). Funding comes from the participant’s therapy allocation, not a separate category.
Can therapy assistants provide telehealth services?
Yes, therapy assistants can provide telehealth-supported services when appropriate. This works best for activities like exercise supervision, communication practice, and skill coaching. The supervising therapist must approve telehealth delivery and ensure it’s suitable for the participant’s needs.
Resources and Further Information
- NDIS Price Guide 2025: ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements
- NDIS Worker Screening: ndisworker.gov.au
- Training.gov.au: Search “Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance” for approved courses
- NDIS Code of Conduct: ndis.gov.au/about-us/our-code-conduct
Whether you’re considering a career as a therapy assistant or an NDIS participant looking to maximise your therapy budget, understanding this role helps you make informed decisions about therapy support options.
